Go ahead of call 2022 the year of the rookies for the Atlanta Braves.
While Atlanta Braves teammates Spencer Strider and Michael Harris II are expected to battle it out for votes for National League Rookie of the Year honors, fellow rookie Vaughn Grissom has also made a big impact in Atlanta at second base in the absence of the injured Ozzie Albies.
Now another rookie is making a big impact for the Atlanta Braves on the mound
With the news that Strider was heading to the injured list with a sore oblique, there were plenty of questions about how the Braves would overcome his loss in the rotation. Bryce Elder, however, has shown that he can carry the load in Strider’s absence.
The 23-year-old Elder, who made his debut on April 12, has a 0.44 ERA in three September starts spanning 20.2 innings. Those numbers include a six-hit complete game shutout on Monday night as the Braves blanked the Washington Nationals on the road, 8-0.
Elder not only helped the Braves keep the top of the National League East in their sights with his outing, but he also made his mark on franchise history.
An absolute MASTERPIECE from @bryce_elder13!
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 27, 2022
Tonight he became the first #Braves rookie to throw a shutout since 1990, when RHP Paul Marak tossed a four-hitter to beat Houston, 3-0, on September 23.#ForTheA pic.twitter.com/pP92vtmxiW
While the pitching matchups for this weekend’s games between the New York Mets and Braves have not been settled as of the time of this writing, there have been projected matchups posted (with Atlanta starters listed first) for the series that could decide the fate of the NL East.
Friday: Max Fried vs. Chris Bassitt
Saturday: Kyle Wright vs. Jacob deGrom
Sunday: Charlie Morton vs. Max Scherzer
All of this, however, is up in the air as the weather is expected to deteriorate in the Atlanta area as the remnants of Hurricane Ian move through the area this weekend. Game times and dates could change depending on the conditions at Truist Park.
However, with the Braves and Mets tied atop the division heading into Wednesday’s action and just seven games remaining in the regular season, every game down the stretch will matter. With that in mind, Atlanta will rely on Elder’s pitching when needed in the days to come, putting another rookie in the spotlight in a season that has been dominated by youth in Atlanta.